UK Home Office Moves to Restrict Drug Testing at Festivals

[UK] The Quietus reports what we have seen blowing up in the Twittersphere.

“The UK Government has performed a U-turn on support for drug testing at festivals.

“Coming at the start of the UK’s summer festival season, the change in Home Office policy meant that drug-testing charity The Loop was not given approval to carry out planned testing on confiscated substances at last weekend’s Parklife festival in Manchester.

“Organizations like The Loop will now be required to undergo a three-month license application process in order to continue their work at festivals and other events.”

Of course, a three-month process means no licenses will be available for the 2023 summer festival season.

We are confident that between the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and Sacha Lord will hammer this out with the current UK government.

In the meantime, this policy flip-flop means that some young people will die.

Read more in this piece from BBC News.